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Path: utzoo!watmath!csc
From: csc@watmath.UUCP (Computer Sci Club)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: "preformance" and IQ tests
Message-ID: <7845@watmath.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 24-May-84 15:44:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: watmath.7845
Posted: Thu May 24 15:44:13 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 26-May-84 13:23:55 EDT
References: <497@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 18

Lisa Chabot states that though test scores correlate highly with
something we are interested in, they may correlate even more
highly with something else.  True but irrelevant, as long as
the first correlation is still true.  (Correlation does not imply
causation.)  If the correlation does not change (sometimes not true,
but often true or almost true) then the tests scores can predict
what we are interested in.  The strength of the prediction depends
on the strength of the correlation, not on what causes the
correlation. (not exactly true but the counter-examples are of
little interest here)

Tests can be invalidated, or at least made less useful if
a way to bias them becomes widely known (SAT for example).
This can be a problem for those who are trying to come up
with rational admissions standards.  The fact does not
invalidate the whole concept of using tests.
                                              William Hughes